Former NFL standout Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge related to a shooting incident in May, as confirmed by his attorney who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Records from Essex County, N.J., indicate that Brown was released for extradition to Florida from New Jersey. Brown, a former All-Pro wide receiver, agreed to the extradition process after being arrested in Dubai.
Mark Eiglarsh, Brown’s legal representative, communicated that a written not guilty plea has been submitted in response to the attempted murder allegation. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami court for a bond hearing potentially as soon as Wednesday morning.
Allegedly, Brown is accused of seizing a handgun from a security personnel following a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and discharging two rounds at an individual with whom he had a prior altercation. The purported victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, reported sustaining a minor injury as one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Eiglarsh stated that Brown acted in self-defense against an individual he had previous conflicts with. The attorney emphasized that Brown acted within his rights to protect himself from the alleged victim’s aggressive conduct.
Notably, Brown was not promptly apprehended that evening as authorities did not initially recognize Nantambu as a victim. It was only after Nantambu provided a comprehensive statement to law enforcement on May 21, identifying Brown as the perpetrator, that legal actions were taken.
As per Brown’s social media updates, he had been residing in Dubai for an extended period. Following the altercation, Brown asserted on social media that he had been targeted by multiple assailants attempting to steal his possessions and cause him harm.
In Florida, a second-degree attempted murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. Brown, with a distinguished NFL career spanning 12 seasons, notably playing for Tampa Bay in 2021 after a lengthy stint with Pittsburgh, amassed impressive statistics including 928 receptions, over 12,000 receiving yards, and a total of 88 touchdowns encompassing various scoring methods.
Brown has faced multiple legal issues throughout his career, including allegations of battery against a moving truck driver, numerous domestic violence charges, failure to meet child support obligations, and other incidents. His football journey took a controversial turn during a 2021 game against the New York Jets when he abruptly left the field, leading to his dismissal from the Buccaneers and effectively marking the conclusion of his football career.